Front License Plate

[jimlam56]

Well I finally got tired of the ugly front license plate bracket so i (gasp) took the drill to the 4 (Why 4???) aluminum rivets that hold it on.
So now I'm looking at 4 holes to fill up. I was thinking about some stainless screws to fill um up with short term, but would like to hear any other ideas.
Long term I'll have a body shop fill them in I guess, but don't know what is used on plastic bumper covers?

[gdmjoe]

Never having had the front license bracket installed, there were still two holes. Used a couple of those auto parts store HELP plugs (they come in a variety of sizes).

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2206000-2206999/2206612_6_full.jpg

[jimlam56]

Never having had the front license bracket installed, there were still two holes. Used a couple of those auto parts store HELP plugs (they come in a variety of sizes).




http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2206000-2206999/2206612_6_full.jpg

The problem is my car is silver, and they only come in black as far as I know. I wonder if paint would hold on them? I might try that idea though, if they don't look good not much of an investment.

[gdmjoe]

jimlam56 - The problem is my car is silver, and they only come in black as far as I know. I wonder if paint would hold on them? I might try that idea though, if they don't look good not much of an investment.
Suggest trying Krylon plastic paint. And like you said ... not much of an investment.

[jim geary]

Morning Jim.
You might try a boat or marine repair shop. They us many different epoxy's
and stuff. Plus they should be good at blending and color matching.
Just depends on how much you want to spend. But I figure Florida has to
have lots of boat places. Just a thought. Jim Geary

[gdmjoe]

This site (http://www.geocities.com/esklut/BumperPlugPics.html) at one time (a few years ago) had bumper plugs, however, it appears that the site isn't up-to-date.

May be worth Googleing though.

[jimlam56]

This site (http://www.geocities.com/esklut/BumperPlugPics.html) at one time (a few years ago) had bumper plugs, however, it appears that the site isn't up-to-date.

May be worth Googleing though.

Why, bumperplugs.com of course!
Ain't the internet grand!:P

Mighty price at 25 bucks apair, so I would need to get 2 sets.
Heading to Pep Boys now...

[TheDonk]

You have an ACE Hardware nearby? They carry all sorts of plastic plugs of
various sizes. I found some nice small ones that were barely noticeable
once installed. About $1/4.

[Hotrauder]

Jim, got mine(bumper plugs, black) at the local body shop, Freeby. Bought a little bottle of Ford DTR touch up paint at the auto parts store . Bingo. Picture of them in the SSM calendar January page and in my gallery here. That was before the car wash crash, have a virgin front bumper cover now...no holes:D Dennis

[jimlam56]

Dennis your picture in the calender is what started me on this project!:D

Lookin' at it now!

[Hotrauder]

Of the two hole replacement techniques I have tried so far the bumper plug is the best idea...altho the car wash scene was a sight to behold. Dennis :bigcry:

[Marauderjack]

CarQuest sells a plastic bumper repair kit but I just used Latex caulk like you would use outside your house.....several coats and smooth them with water and your finger.....Let cure and touch up with matching paint!!:beer:

I never had a front bracket but there still are little dimples so the dealership morons will mount the bracket in the right place!!:mad:

The caulk will look as good as the blooming dimples!!:cool:

Marauderjack:burnout:

POST # 1000:beer: :beer:

[MarauderMarc]

Why dont you try putting on a bra??? (on your car)

[jimlam56]

CarQuest sells a plastic bumper repair kit but I just used Latex caulk like you would use outside your house.....several coats and smooth them with water and your finger.....Let cure and touch up with matching paint!!:beer:

I never had a front bracket but there still are little dimples so the dealership morons will mount the bracket in the right place!!:mad:

The caulk will look as good as the blooming dimples!!:cool:

Marauderjack:burnout:

POST # 1000:beer: :beer:

Good idea, I'll try that now, got some Alexplus hanging around...
Thanks!

[Vortex]

Well I finally got tired of the ugly front license plate bracket so i (gasp) took the drill to the 4 (Why 4???) aluminum rivets that hold it on.
So now I'm looking at 4 holes to fill up. I was thinking about some stainless screws to fill um up with short term, but would like to hear any other ideas.
Long term I'll have a body shop fill them in I guess, but don't know what is used on plastic bumper covers?

I had the same issue as well. There was a thread going here before on the same subject but basically, go to a Honda dealer and they sell silver plastic oblong plugs for the S2000 sports car. They run about $3 each and they are sort of a buff finish, not glossy, but the silver is the same. They have two tabs on them, just slice off one and stick them in the lag bolt holes. Mine are inserted vertically. Not a perfect solution but good enough and much better than a pucky front plate and much cheaper than getting it done at a shop. I posted a couple of pics in my gallery for you to see what it looks like.

[Merc-O-matic]

For black cars a dab of "Coax Seal" from Radio Shack does the trick.

Gotta Love It!:pimp:

[SID210SA]

Well I finally got tired of the ugly front license plate bracket so i (gasp) took the drill to the 4 (Why 4???) aluminum rivets that hold it on.
So now I'm looking at 4 holes to fill up. I was thinking about some stainless screws to fill um up with short term, but would like to hear any other ideas.
Long term I'll have a body shop fill them in I guess, but don't know what is used on plastic bumper covers?
I see your location as Flordia, but you have what looks to be Texas plates, What gives?

[jimlam56]

I see your location as Flordia, but you have what looks to be Texas plates, What gives?

I bought the car from a gentleman in Houston last November.
The picture was taken as soon as I got home from picking it up, so the plates had not been changed yet.
Good eye!

[SID210SA]

ah ha...I see, I see, (said the blind man to the deaf man) :smile:

[ckadiddle]

I decorated my ugly front plate holder...... it'll do for now.... I think it suits my personality.:rolleyes:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/0/7/9/01-31-06_1337.jpg

[KillJoy]

I wish I could do that. I hate that ugly front plate. Here in Ohio, you are required to have a one. :(

KillJoy

[Rider90]

I wish I could do that. I hate that ugly front plate. Here in Ohio, you are required to have a one. :(

KillJoy
Required to have one in IL, but I got away with it on my CV for a year. Was pulled over a few times and it was never mentioned. I think its just up there on the PC list.

[djv5150]

CarQuest sells a plastic bumper repair kit but I just used Latex caulk like you would use outside your house.....several coats and smooth them with water and your finger.....Let cure and touch up with matching paint!!:beer:

I never had a front bracket but there still are little dimples so the dealership morons will mount the bracket in the right place!!:mad:

The caulk will look as good as the blooming dimples!!:cool:

Marauderjack:burnout:

POST # 1000:beer: :beer:
Jim
I did this mod it was easy I went to Advanced Discount Auto here in Florida.
Get the rubber bumper repair kit,
1- place tape behind the back of the holes in the bumper
2- mix the 2 tubes of bumper goo
3-fill the holes and smooth with credit card old one
4-use touch up paint when glu is dry
paint can be bought at dealer or auto parts store.
This is by far the best looking method other than a pro doing it.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/5/3/5/5-14-05casselberry.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/5/3/5/09-20-05008.jpg

[jimlam56]

Thanks folks, some good ideas.
I tried Marauderjack's solution, but a lack of time and rainy weather here has not allowed me to apply a second coat of caulk and paint.
I'll post pictures when I can finish it up.
Even with white caulk on a silver car, it looks better than the bracket!

[Marauder2005]

Jim
I did this mod it was easy I went to Advanced Discount Auto here in Florida.
Get the rubber bumper repair kit,
1- place tape behind the back of the holes in the bumper
2- mix the 2 tubes of bumper goo
3-fill the holes and smooth with credit card old one
4-use touch up paint when glu is dry
paint can be bought at dealer or auto parts store.
This is by far the best looking method other than a pro doing it.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/5/3/5/5-14-05casselberry.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/5/3/5/09-20-05008.jpg

Man, I have always noticed your MM looking its 'blackest'. I have the same

problem, going to have to check out my local Advanced Auto. Thx.